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Technical Help & Discussion => General Tech Discussion, News & Q&A => Topic started by: Clive on February 09, 2011, 20:40

Title: Third of UK surfers victim of PC viruses
Post by: Clive on February 09, 2011, 20:40

Figures from Eurostat found that 31 per cent of surfers caught a virus or other computer infection in the last three months of 2010, with seven per cent suffering financial loss as a result, despite 88 per cent of victims saying they had security software installed.

The UK was by no means the worst country in Europe with a virus problem, though. The report, released to coincide with Internet Safety Day, found that people living in Bulgaria (58 per cent), Malta (50 per cent) and Slovakia (47 per cent) had the most victims. Austria had the lowest at 14 per cent.

Despite the UK having one of the lowest virus rates, it was one of the countries most attacked by phishing, with seven per cent of surfers having their card fradulently used or being duped into handing over money to scammers.

The survey looked at 200,000 computer users across 27 countries in the European Union.

Attacks on mobile phones rose by 46 per cent in the same period, according to reports by McAfee. However, only 947 viruses were actually detected, which is a relatively small amount considering that 100.9 million smartphones were sold worldwide in the last quarter of 2010.

WEBUSER (http://www.webuser.co.uk/news/top-stories/515514/third-of-uk-surfers-victim-of-pc-viruses)

Title: Re: Third of UK surfers victim of PC viruses
Post by: Simon on February 09, 2011, 21:22

I still maintain that it's actually quite hard to get a virus just on the off chance, but if people will open unexpected attachments, visit dodgy websites, and click on iffy links, it's only to be expected.  Some users think that having security software makes them immune, but safe surfing is paramount to keeping your machine alive and well.  :)

Title: Re: Third of UK surfers victim of PC viruses
Post by: Clive on February 09, 2011, 22:30

I agree Simon.  I never open attachments or websites from people I don't know.

Title: Re: Third of UK surfers victim of PC viruses
Post by: Delgado on February 10, 2011, 08:23

Quote from: Simon on February 09, 2011, 21:22

I still maintain that it's actually quite hard to get a virus just on the off chance, but if people will open unexpected attachments, visit dodgy websites, and click on iffy links, it's only to be expected.  Some users think that having security software makes them immune, but safe surfing is paramount to keeping your machine alive and well.  :)

I agree 100% Simon. Its amazing how thick some people can be. I sometimes listen in to conversations by customers with sales staff at my local PC World, and the rubbish that is talked is amazing. A friend of mine that used to run two businesses, asked me one day what a Firewall was!

Title: Re: Third of UK surfers victim of PC viruses
Post by: Simon on February 10, 2011, 09:46

I know people who shouldn't really be let loose on the Internet.  Miraculously, they mostly seem to stay out of trouble, other than when playing poker games online!

Title: Re: Third of UK surfers victim of PC viruses
Post by: Rik on February 10, 2011, 09:51

Or viewing porn.  :devil:

Title: Re: Third of UK surfers victim of PC viruses
Post by: Simon on February 10, 2011, 10:31

;D

Title: Re: Third of UK surfers victim of PC viruses
Post by: daveeb on February 10, 2011, 10:37

Quote from: Rik on February 10, 2011, 09:51

Or viewing porn.  :devil:

Rik are you saying there is porn on the interweb  :dunno:  :)x

Title: Re: Third of UK surfers victim of PC viruses
Post by: Rik on February 10, 2011, 10:43

So I've been told, Dave. I think it was Simon who mentioned it.  :o:

Title: Re: Third of UK surfers victim of PC viruses
Post by: Simon on February 10, 2011, 11:17

I only mentioned I'd seen Clive's bookmarks.  :o:

Title: Re: Third of UK surfers victim of PC viruses
Post by: Rik on February 10, 2011, 11:19

 ;D

Title: Re: Third of UK surfers victim of PC viruses
Post by: Clive on February 10, 2011, 13:06

Stop peeking Simon!   >:(

Title: Re: Third of UK surfers victim of PC viruses
Post by: Simon on February 10, 2011, 13:53

:)x

Title: Re: Third of UK surfers victim of PC viruses
Post by: sam on February 11, 2011, 00:01

at least one person admits to it  :laugh:

Title: Re: Third of UK surfers victim of PC viruses
Post by: Simon on February 11, 2011, 00:26

Oh, when I first got a PC, it's ALL I did!  :laugh:

Title: Re: Third of UK surfers victim of PC viruses
Post by: Rik on February 11, 2011, 10:08

I came from the VHS generation.  :o:

Title: Re: Third of UK surfers victim of PC viruses
Post by: Simon on February 11, 2011, 10:35

:hehe:

Title: Re: Third of UK surfers victim of PC viruses
Post by: Clive on February 11, 2011, 12:08

Yes, that's why we all chose VHS.   :laugh:

Title: Re: Third of UK surfers victim of PC viruses
Post by: Rik on February 11, 2011, 12:30

 ;D

Title: Re: Third of UK surfers victim of PC viruses
Post by: Simon on February 11, 2011, 13:14

I thought it was because we couldn't afford betamax!  ;D

Title: Re: Third of UK surfers victim of PC viruses
Post by: Rik on February 11, 2011, 17:05

 :laugh:

That's what we told people at the time.

Title: Re: Third of UK surfers victim of PC viruses
Post by: Simon on February 11, 2011, 18:34

 o:)